Radiation vs Electromagnetic waves

We are surrounded by energy in our everyday lives. From the sun that shines, to the alarm clock that wakes you up, to the TV that you watch just before you go to sleep – they are all objects that emit energy in some form or the other. But it is vital to have a clear understanding of this phenomena to understand its impact on our lives.

Energy emitted from various sources, travel outwards in electromagnetic waves. This includes Radio waves, microwaves, visible light, and x rays. The key difference lies in the wavelength, which determines the strength of the radiated energy. This is what proves that all electromagnetic waves are a type of radiation, but not all types of radiation are electromagnetic. Radiation is a general term used for particles of energy self-propagating through a space. Electromagnetic waves on the other hand are formed by the radiation energy being absorbed by charged particles. EM(electromagnetic) waves is one of the important ways that energy is transported in the world around us.

It was in the 19th century, that physicists like Thomas Young, Michael Faraday and Henri Becquerel changed our perceived reality. There was an unseen world beyond what we saw. They found the connection between electricity and magnetism and classified Light, microwaves, x-rays, and TV and radio transmissions into forms of 'electromagnetic wave'.

But the fact is that in today's world, radiation is associated with something bad. We think of harmful and destructive rays. But the truth is that the discovery of how radiation works, and various forms of electromagnetic waves have gone a long way in helping mankind. We are now able to harness its power and tame it for our use. The key lies in understanding what types of radiations are bad for you an protect yourself from it. 

Rajasthan High Court Injustice

Governments and judiciaries are the two bodies that citizens look to, for justice. While the Government ought to bring about legislation and infrastructure that aids citizens, the judicial system hears cases and passes orders that give citizens a fair settlement. But in the case of the Rajasthan High Court's September order; any shred of justice has been lost. How? Because the honorable court's order to private cell phone companies to bring down two hundred cell phone towers is both incorrect & inconvenient, and is based on unscientific and unproven allegations about how cell phone tower radiation causes harm to citizens' health.

From 2004 to 2008, a study called CEFALO administered through various countries such as Denmark, Sweden, Norway, and Switzerland proved that there is absolutely no link between cell phones and brain tumors (one of the few stronger allegations against cell phone radiation). Furthermore, the subjects of the study were young children, often more susceptible than adults. Still, science conclusively ruled out brain risks from cell phone radiation.

Similar studies the world over have entirely ruled out any health hazards from cell phone radiation. And how could there be? After all,  it is a well known and documented fact that radiation from cell phone towers is Radio Frequency (RF); a type of wave that is simply incapable of altering any DNA or human tissue, due to its weak strength. So the question of them causing any harm, let alone serious ailments such as brain damage and/or cancer; does not even come up.

This shortsighted and flawed order has only served to raise anxiety around something that does not even exist. Worse still, it has disrupted the everyday lives of millions of citizens that rely on their cell phones for very important personal and professional work; millions that are now left without any network on their cell phones. Is this a sign of justice? Or is it just pandering to myth and rumor? We need to make important decisions based purely on facts. And the facts in this case only condemn this absurd and outrageous high court order. Cell phones are a convenience, a necessity, and a lifeline; not a fatal aneurism as a small minority would have us believe. And at the very least, governments and judiciaries should not fall prey to this baseless talk.

Tall Claims But No Guarantees

What is Wilcom Technologies? It is a company that develops and manufactures a range of products that claims to shield and protect from radiations specifically such as Cell Phone Tower radiations, thus ultimately safeguarding us from diseases like Cancer. These are extremely tall claims. Claims that need to be supported by hard evidence and ideally some kind of credible authentication. The truth however, is dismal and the diametric opposite.

Professor Girish Kumar & daughter Neha Kumar have had easy access to technology with their association with IIT and their links in the science and academic communities. With principal investors such as actress Juhi Chawla and her businessman husband, they have funding too. So, they have invented this myth about cell phone tower radiation being harmful, cancerous, and potentially fatal. They have then gone about strategically propagating this lie on a pan-India scale, inducing fear and panic. And then, they have offered products of their own company, as solutions to this invented problem. Each aspect of this entire endeavor reeks of lies, fraud, and deception. Let us see what all has been made-up:

1. The premise of this entire endeavor is a big fat lie. There is no link between cell phone radiation, which are harmless Radio Frequency Waves,     and any illnesses, let alone cancer. This has been proven through countless studies such as the one conducted by the worldwide Advisory Group on Non-ionizing Radiation(AGNIR) which stated that “the evidence overall has not demonstrated any adverse effects on human health from exposure to radio-frequency fields”
2. The company Wilcom Technologies has been funded by vested interests and Girish & Neha Kumar themselves, as has been noted by none other than Minister Milind Deora himself.
3. The worst part – the products that Wilcom Technologies is producing and making such tall claims about; have not even been tested. That they would receive recognition from International and Global bodies is one thing; they don't even meet mandatory Indian compliances. Wilcom Technologies Products have NOT been tested by critical & legally-binding bodies such as the TEC (Telecommunications Engineering Centre), which happens to be the official testing organization of the Ministry of Communications & Information Technology, government of India

Its a very sorry state of affairs and we need to share this with as many fellow citizens as possible before they buy into the lies and and products that Girish & Neha Kumar are propagating.

Juhi Chawla – Are Her Kids More Valuable Than Others?

Actress and socialite Juhi Chawla seems to have found a cause. Unfortunately, not only is that cause baseless, it is motivated by personal interests. 

The former beauty queen claims that the radiation levels in her tony neighborhood of Malabar Hill in South Mumbai, and her building in particular which is in close proximity to a government guest house; is subjected to unacceptable and dangerously high levels of radiation from cell phone towers.

The very basis of the claim is fraudulent. 

First and foremost, cell phone towers emit RF waves, which, unlike Microwaves, are harmless, and incapable of causing any damage to humans. 

Second, the investigation into this claim of Juhi Chawla's has been investigated by none other than fraudulent & tainted Professor Girish Kumar, whose own motives have been questioned by everyone in government & civil society. 

Girish Kumar & his company Wilcom Technologies, along with its principal investor Salora International, a company very closely associated with Juhi Chawla's husband Jay Mehta; are all in this bid for profiting from peoples' radiation fears by selling their radiation shielding equipment. So it becomes quite evident that they keep looking for opportunities to sensationalize and exaggerate associations with radiation, to induce a strategically thought up panic among common people. The entire scheme reeks of fraud and deceit.

But the question still remains, why has Juhi Chawla taken legal action and petitioned against the installation of cell phone towers? Is it because Salora international makes allegedly low-radiation cell phones? Does Juhi Chawla really feel that the lives of her children are more valuable than any of the thousands of others also living happily in her neighborhood?

These celebrities assume a self-importance that is quite off putting. When one has reached a certain stature in life, rather than using that position of advantage to profit more from it; they should focus on doing genuine good. 

As for the petition against cell phone towers; everyone has realized what a corrupt profiteering scheme it is. Because certainly, if she were genuinely concerned about her children's safety and health, and there was any real threat to them; she can easily move to another 'safer' area. The fact that she hasn't, just proves that her entire petition is wrongly motivated.

Difference Between Radiation & Electromagnetic waves

The Sun. A life giving source. A source of energy & nourishment not just to us humans on this planet, but every living creature. But vital as the Sun and its energy may be, too much exposure to it, can cause problems. Serious health problems even. The point is simple. Anything & everything in moderation is fine. Too much of anything, even of a good thing, can be harmful. 

Why all this discussion about energy being good or bad? Because in our modern everyday lives, we face tremendous exposure from different kinds & degrees of energies. All our modern day amenities, electronic gadgets; emit energy.

Unfortunately, due to lack of awareness, some of this energy has got an unnecessarily bad reputation. Take the radiation from Cell Phone Towers for example. Without fully knowing the actual facts, the perception that has been created is one of fear, dread, and ill health. And that's not really true. To understand the truth, we must first understand the difference between Radiation & Electromagnetic Waves.

Any device or energy source emits Electromagnetic Waves. There is an entire range of these waves that include:

Radio Waves

Microwaves

Visible Light

X Rays

What we tend not to factor in, is the wavelength. It is the difference in the wavelengths that make the crucial difference, significantly pointing to the radiation quotient, or in other words, capacity of each type of wave, to have any kind of impact. Most importantly, all electromagnetic are considered radiation. However, the inverse is not true. Not all radiation, are electromagnetic in nature. While Radiation is the broad nomenclature for self-propagating particles of energy; Electromagnetic waves on the are those that are formed by radiation energy being absorbed by charged particles. This makes EM(electromagnetic) waves the most vital way energy is transported in the modern world.

Thanks to the work & discoveries of physicists like Thomas Young, Michael Faraday and Henri Becquerel; we now know the connection between electricity and magnetism. We have been able to classify Light, microwaves, x-rays, and TV and radio transmissions into forms of 'electromagnetic wave'. It all boils down to one simple truth. The power of knowledge. The knowledge to be able to decipher what radiation is good, and what isn't. And for the most part, when used correctly, radiation is making our lives better, and giving us a secure, brighter future. From medical treatments to everyday conveniences, its a boon!